Product · La Sportiva
La Sportiva Boulder X: rubber-wrapped, speed laces
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The appeal of the Boulder X is simple: a tough synthetic upper wrapped in a broad rand of rubber, speed laces, and a mid-top cut. Amazon lists it for climbing and hiking with an impact-resistant special feature. It is the shoe in our approach guide for people who wreck shoes on scree, talus and abrasive rock faster than they wear out the sole.
- Upper
- Synthetic
- Outsole
- Synthetic
- Membrane
- None stated
- Listed use
- Climbing, hiking
In its favour
- The listing names climbing and hiking as uses, with impact resistance as a special feature.
- Speed laces are listed, which make it quick to tighten for a scramble and loosen for the walk out.
- The fit is described in the listing as true to size.
Good to know
- Listed as not water resistant, so it is a dry-weather shoe in British conditions.
- The listed weight of 1.2 kg does not say whether that is per pair.
Our take
What Amazon lists
The outer and sole are both described as synthetic, with rubber named as the insole, cleat and lining material in various fields. The closure is speed laces and the shoe height is mid top. Water resistance is stated as not water resistant, and the season is given as spring and summer.
Cushioning is listed as moderate. The weight field shows 1.2 kg without saying whether it covers one shoe or a pair. Some fields, such as a road surface recommendation, look generic, so read the listing with that in mind.
The point of a rubber wrap
On a typical British scramble the upper takes a beating on the way down: scree runs, boulder fields and gritstone edges all scrape away at mesh. A rubber wrap around the shoe protects the upper from this wear and adds some friction when you smear a foot against rock. The cost is breathability, since rubber does not let heat out.
Speed laces pull the shoe snug quickly with metal eyelets or loops along the forefoot. They make it easy to tighten for a rocky section and loosen for the walk out.
Boulder X versus the TX4 Evo GTX and Crux
The La Sportiva TX4 Evo GTX is the brand's waterproof option, with a suede upper and Gore-Tex lining. If your approaches are wet, choose that one. The Boulder X has no membrane, so water that gets in will also drain and dry more readily.
The Scarpa Crux is much lighter on paper at a listed 358 g and uses a named Vibram Megagrip sole. It suits people who value low weight and a light feel. The Boulder X suits those who care more about durability on rough terrain.
Fit and care
The listing records fit as true to size. Rinse off grit, keep the rubber rand away from heat while drying, and check the stitching where rubber meets fabric. That join is where wear often shows first on rubber-wrapped shoes.
Verdict
Pick the Boulder X if you scramble on rough, abrasive rock and want a tough, rubber-protected shoe with speed laces. For wet approaches the La Sportiva TX4 Evo GTX is better, and for a light summer approach shoe with a Vibram Megagrip sole the Scarpa Crux makes more sense.
Compared with alternatives in: Best approach shoes for scrambling
Amazon listing title: La Sportiva Boulder X, Men's Hiking shoes